Graves and Riding have a number of discussions with German friends and
acquaintances living in Deyá about Hitler
and the prospect of a conflict between Fascism and Communism. Graves and
Riding are in sympathy with the political left, but long talks on the
subject are both exhausting and discouraging. It doesn't help that the
weather for much of the first half of the month is muggy and close. Riding
suffers a bad case of dysentery, and Graves' mood is low.

Then, mid-month, Graves and Riding hear the horrifying news of T. E. Lawrence's accident; the diary
reflects Graves' distress as he attempts to find out more from Spanish news
reports, which are not detailed enough, not in English or do not mention the
accident. He must rely on telegrams from colleagues and friends in England.
He submits Lawrence's obituary to literary agent Eric Pinker on the condition that it not be used unless Lawrence
dies. When Lawrence succumbs to his injuries after several days, the
obituary is published in the
Evening Standard
, and Graves notes that other papers request reprint rights. The
obituary attracts the attention of Basil
Liddell-Hart, who will later collaborate with Graves on a T. E.
Lawrence book project. Korda writes to
inquire if Graves will write a film script about T. E. Lawrence - Graves
says he will, as long as the Lawrence Trustees agree.

Honor Wyatt writes to confirm her arrival
on 22 May with Gordon Glover, the newborn
Julian and Mary Phillips. She will also bring the provisions Graves and
Riding have requested from England (toiletries, beads, et cetera). The visit
is welcome after the heartache of Lawrence's death, and the friends spend
time on the beach and in the sun, as the weather improves.

Hands Referenced

Places Mentioned

Deyá

Deyá,
Majorca,
Sp

Town located on the northwest coast of Majorca, on the hillside between the Teix Mountains
and the sea: this was RG's home with Laura Riding from 1929 to 1936. He returned there
with his family after WW II. Eds.

Pinker

Liddell Hart

War-fare expert and friend of T.E. Lawrence. Collaborated with RG on a book of T.E.L'.s
letters, published in 1938. See RPG p.231. WG & Eds.

Korda

Korda, Alexander

Director of the film version of I Claudius.

Honor

Wyatt, Honor

Journalist. Arrived in Deyá fortuitously. Married to Gordon Glover...Son Julian.
W.G. First acquainted with R.G. and L.R. early in 1934; returned to visit in 1935;
continued friendship in England. eds (RPG 211).

Gordon

Glover, Gordon

Married to Honor Wyatt. WG

Julian

Glover, Julian

Honor & Gordon's baby. WG

Mary

Phillips, Mary

Visitor. Typed most of I, Claudius. Later married James Reeves. WG

Petter, Chris G.

Project manager of text encoding and annotation.

Graves, William

Son of Robert and Beryl Graves. Helped to identify names, places and titles in Deya
(1935-1936)
and with translations and other references in three ways. He left an annotated printout
of the first six months of the diary in the Graves Trust
Room at St. John's College, Oxford. He also sent Chris Petter an Excel file with a
list identifying names and places, principally
in the Majorcan sections of the diary, and a glossary of Spanish terms. Finally he
has sent the editors answers in response to reference questions.
Notes by William Graves are identified with the initials WG.

Organizations Mentioned

Constable & Co., Ltd.

Constable

Constable Publishers. Arranged with them to print and distribute Seizin Press Epilogue
and books. WG

Seizin Press

Founded when Robert Graves and Laura Riding began their partnership in London. R.G.
and L.R. continued to operate their own press in Deyá, but stopped printing in 1935.
Seizin Press published a number of literary works in conjunction with Constable in
London, including the Epilogue series, and other works by Laura Riding and their literary
associates. eds

Hawthornden Prize

A literary prize awarded to R.G. for "I, Claudius" and "Claudius the God." (RPG 224;
diary May 12, 1935). Oldest of the famous British literary prizes, founded by Alice
Warrender in 1919. eds.

Editors

Editors of the Graves Diary Project.

Bibliography

Title: Claudius Film Version [The Fool of Rome] [a condensed novel based on I, Claudius]